Music Man Stingray 5 H or HH ?

[KaseOfBass]

You should definitely check out the H and HH models in both the old style and new Special. I have not played the new Special. It's 18v preamp may make a huge difference on the HH models. Or it may not.

To throw out some more info, the 30th Anniversary Stingray 5 H sounds a little different from the standard H models and NeckThrough models have a little different tone as well. There is also the Classic model, which only comes in H and has a 2-band EQ with no switch.

Good point that the OP should consider. The different variations do sound slightly different. I have a first-year '88 SR5, a 30th anniversary SR5, and a new SR5 Special (I also had the SR5HH from 2014 that I sold a few months back) and they all sound slightly different from each other when comparing just the bridge pickup. The '88 is much more harsh and aggressive sounding; the 30th anniversary is tamer but the next most aggressive (it has a revised preamp and ceramic pickup magnets rather than alnico), the SR5HH had the modern StingRay tone that cut, but was more warm (alnico and parallel-only wiring); the 5H Special is the least aggressive of the bunch (though it certainly cuts like a StingRay and be EQ'd to get pretty gnarly), but has the most powerful preamp of the bunch. I was amazed at how the 5H Special could get close to many of the tones of the 5HH with just preamp tweaks. While they all sound slightly different, they all have the unmistakeable StingRay tone, just slightly different flavors.

From what I remember, StingRay 5 basses evolved something like this over the years:

'88 - '91/'92 (I've seen both years referenced): Alnico pickup magnets, series/single coil (no dummy coil)/parallel wiring
'92 - '08: Ceramic pickup magnets (the HH was introduced in '06, so you have some out there with ceramic pickup magnets and then others starting in '08 with alnico magnets)
'08 - '17: back to alnico pickup magnets (except the 2017 30th anniversary SR5 which is a different preamp and ceramic pickup magnets)
'18: Special introduced with 18v preamp and neodymium pickup magnets

There were other changes in there, too, like the single coil/filter setting on the 5H, but I don't remember when those occurred.

 

[baxter_x]

You should definitely check out the H and HH models in both the old style and new Special. I have not played the new Special. It's 18v preamp may make a huge difference on the HH models. Or it may not.

To throw out some more info, the 30th Anniversary Stingray 5 H sounds a little different from the standard H models and NeckThrough models have a little different tone as well. There is also the Classic model, which only comes in H and has a 2-band EQ with no switch.

Lots of options. Lots of great options.

And don't forget about the formidable Sterling. They are unique animals in their own right and also come in H, HS and HH configurations.

Damn. It's great to have that many options.

I already own a H from 2002. Basically I thought an HH would be useless for me. But I read your post I want one. I don't thank you

 

[Ric5]

With a 5 HH you can isolate the neck pickup and boost the mids and you get an amazing thump

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Good point that the OP should consider. The different variations do sound slightly different. I have a first-year '88 SR5, a 30th anniversary SR5, and a new SR5 Special (I also had the SR5HH from 2014 that I sold a few months back) and they all sound slightly different from each other when comparing just the bridge pickup. The '88 is much more harsh and aggressive sounding; the 30th anniversary is tamer but the next most aggressive (it has a revised preamp and ceramic pickup magnets rather than alnico), the SR5HH had the modern StingRay tone that cut, but was more warm (alnico and parallel-only wiring); the 5H Special is the least aggressive of the bunch (though it certainly cuts like a StingRay and be EQ'd to get pretty gnarly), but has the most powerful preamp of the bunch. I was amazed at how the 5H Special could get close to many of the tones of the 5HH with just preamp tweaks. While they all sound slightly different, they all have the unmistakeable StingRay tone, just slightly different flavors.

From what I remember, StingRay 5 basses evolved something like this over the years:

'88 - '91/'92 (I've seen both years referenced): Alnico pickup magnets, series/single coil (no dummy coil)/parallel wiring
'92 - '08: Ceramic pickup magnets (the HH was introduced in '06, so you have some out there with ceramic pickup magnets and then others starting in '08 with alnico magnets)
'08 - '17: back to alnico pickup magnets (except the 2017 30th anniversary SR5 which is a different preamp and ceramic pickup magnets)
'18: Special introduced with 18v preamp and neodymium pickup magnets

There were other changes in there, too, like the single coil/filter setting on the 5H, but I don't remember when those occurred.

I think it would be helpful if those who say they tried the HH and couldn't get it to sound like an H would point out if they are referencing the new Specials or prior models . It does make a difference.

Also OP, are you considering the Special or prior models of the Stingray? Again , it makes a difference.

Exactly !!

 

[mouthmw]

Here's an ok short video of a Stingray 5HH, he goes through the switch (with a flat eq) and you get some sense of the tones.

 

[Uchoa]

Nice video to compare the tones through the switch pickups position . In this one I liked the 3th position ( all humbuckers open) , did some balls to the tone . I´m just curious if all open can be muddy in a mix to a hard rock - heavy metal band .

Thanks again guys for the replies .

 

[Stevorebob]

On my HHs (non-Specials), I find that the first position — bridge pickup only — works best in a band setting. The other pickup selections sound great, they just don't work for me in a mix. YMMV.

 

[KaseOfBass]

Nice video to compare the tones through the switch pickups position . In this one I liked the 3th position ( all humbuckers open) , did some balls to the tone . I´m just curious if all open can be muddy in a mix to a hard rock - heavy metal band .

Thanks again guys for the replies .

The third position on an HH is what I consider the bedroom tone - sounds fantastic by itself, but can get covered up relatively easy depending on your particular band, mix, etc. You can certainly EQ some mids in to help in a mix, and no doubt many players use and love this setting, it just didn't work for me live.

 

[Uchoa]

The third position on an HH is what I consider the bedroom tone - sounds fantastic by itself, but can get covered up relatively easy depending on your particular band, mix, etc. You can certainly EQ some mids in to help in a mix, and no doubt many players use and love this setting, it just didn't work for me live.

I have noticed this in videos .

 

[baxter_x]

The video shows something actually interesting : the fact you can't actually mess with the bridge bickup like on a StingRay 5 H. It's only usable in parallel. I guess That's the reason why some of use consider there is a change in tone and. Others don't. If you are used to using parallel you won't notice any difference, if you are used to using series or single puckup you will notice the difference in tone. Just my 2 cents bu it seems right

 

[mouthmw]

The video shows something actually interesting : the fact you can't actually mess with the bridge bickup like on a StingRay 5 H. It's only usable in parallel. I guess That's the reason why some of use consider there is a change in tone and. Others don't. If you are used to using parallel you won't notice any difference, if you are used to using series or single puckup you will notice the difference in tone. Just my 2 cents bu it seems right

Yeah we did mention this - the switch works differently on the single H and HH models. No problem if you only want parallel.

 

[mouthmw]

The third position on an HH is what I consider the bedroom tone - sounds fantastic by itself, but can get covered up relatively easy depending on your particular band, mix, etc. You can certainly EQ some mids in to help in a mix, and no doubt many players use and love this setting, it just didn't work for me live.

Yeah, other settings just sound either muddy or super scooped to me. That's pretty much why I don't care for HH Stingrays. That sweet spot H is named "sweet spot" for a reason IMO. Sounded by far the best to me in the video too.

In this one I liked the 3th position ( all humbuckers open) , did some balls to the tone . I´m just curious if all open can be muddy in a mix to a hard rock - heavy metal band .

I wouldn't say it adds balls, I'd say it adds a substantial scoop. I bet it wouldn't be nearly as punchy and aggressive in the mix as the bridge H.

 

[baxter_x]

Yeah we did mention this - the switch works differently on the single H and HH models. No problem if you only want parallel.

Fine, I'll stick to my H then.

 

[mouthmw]

Fine, I'll stick to my H then.

Why not add one more? xD This time, sure, HH You could do a nice A-B review.

 

[baxter_x]

Why not add one more? xD This time, sure, HH You could do a nice A-B review.

I'm in, however, I'll ask 50% of the price of the bass from you

 

[bdplaid]

I have the Special 4HH. If you just want the Stingray tone and nothing else then go with the single H. After getting the Special HH, I was able to sell off all my basses. It does everything I need from a bass. It's like a Fender, Gibson and Stingray all in one.

Same here, almost. It still doesn't do the classic P-bass, but it does something similar that fills that sonic space pretty well, and very punchy. Everything the Special 4HH does sits really well in a mix.

 

[bdplaid]

So you guys thinks the better till now is HH for a heavy metal sound or a single H can do the same job ?

I'd do an HH, because the neck pickup sounds like a monster with the right amp. Think subwoofer-type low end.

 

[NailDriver]

I have an HS 5. It's awesome. However- for live playing, I find I only use the bridge pickup and dial in tones with the mid and treble knobs. I like the other tones, and they would be really useful for recording, but live is different. I've played a HH 5 special as well. There are different tonal options there than a HS, but I wonder if it would be the same thing live.

Were it me, I'd buy the H. I don't record.

 

[NorseBear0903]

For me, I like all of the different tones except for the middle. To each their own I guess

 

[drTSTingray]

I voted SR5HH because it gives you additional sounds which may be useful.

I have both - my SR5H ceramic is a wonderful bass with a great tone and resonance but my SR5HH Special has the resonance and sounds in a bass which is much lighter.

Robert Trujillo played an SR5 on some of Infectious Grooves' work, and of course Flea has on various tracks but notably Funky Monks. Also Phoenix in Linkin Park has used one - I think these were all SR5Hs.

The choice is yours but those 1992-2008 ceramic ones are a powerful bass. You get parallel (ceramic beefed up classic Stingray sound); single coil (without noise) and series (gives a mid bump). Of course the 3 band EQ is also a powerful tool.

My SR5HH has the updated, revoiced preamp plus neo pick ups and 18 volt electronics - a very powerful, musical sounding and flexible bass.

Some pics.....